Can Yankees' starters win in postseason?

The Oakland A's went into Saturday's game against the Yankees with one hitter who had more than seven home runs. That was Josh Willingham with 12.

Certainly A.J. Burnett knew this when he faced Willingham in the third inning. And certainly he knew it when he grooved a 2-and-1 fastball that Willingham launched into the Oakland bullpen in left-centerfield for a two-run home run in Oakland's 4-3 victory.

"Right down the middle, man,'' Burnett lamented. "Two-one count. Fastball's coming. I went with the two-seamer away his next at-bat because I wanted to make sure not to leave one over the plate. It's unfortunate to have to be woken up like that. You just can't allow that to happen. He's looking for a heater there. If I'm going to miss, miss out. I can't miss over the plate.''

Burnett will always be who he is. Talented, erratic. More likely to absorb the content of a tattoo magazine than a scouting report. Not terribly trustworthy on the mound.

As they enter the final week before next Sunday's non-waivers trade deadline, the Yankees know they have enough starting pitching to get to the playoffs. Brian Cashman said that just last week.

But do they have enough trustworthy starting pitchers to advance in the playoffs if they can't identify and deal for a top-of-the-line starter by next Sunday? (Especially if their first-round opponent is the Rangers, which it likely will be if the Yankees can't overtake the Red Sox and win the AL East.)

In a five-game ALDS against Texas with Games 1, 2 and 5 in Arlington, the Yankees' rotation would be CC Sabathia and . . . who exactly?

Bartolo Colon? At this point, yes, but the real fear has to be that the bionic 38-year-old won't be healthy when the playoffs roll around. To ensure that he is, perhaps the Yankees should consider pulling an El Duque.

Orlando Hernandez always knew when to take a month or so on the DL during the hot summer so he could be ready for the playoffs. We say give Colon August off and let him round into shape after Labor Day. Well, round his arm into shape, anyway.

Phil Hughes, meanwhile, allowed seven runs in 41/3 innings on Friday in the Yankees' 17-7 win. Not even a 14-2 lead after three innings was enough to get him through five. It was his third start off the disabled list after a mysterious bout of shoulder inflammation. His ERA is 9.47.

Is Hughes headed back to where he was early in the season, when his fastball was harder to locate than a perspiration-free person at the Stadium the last two days? Said Joe Girardi, "We know what he can do. It's just Phil going out and doing it.''

Can he go out and do it in a playoff game? At the moment, you'd have to say no.

That leaves Freddy Garcia and Burnett. Garcia gets by on guts and guile and could be eaten alive by a good-hitting team. He did shut out the Rangers over six innings on April 16 in his only appearance against them.

Burnett has the stuff, but he lost ALCS Game 4 to Texas last season on Bengie Molina's series-turning home run. On his best days, he always seems to be one pitch away from imploding.

On Saturday, Burnett didn't get a strike three call on a walk in the sixth, got visibly upset, and followed it by walking No. 9 batter Landon Powell, who's now hitting .188. Girardi wisely removed him, but Cory Wade gave up a single for a run charged to Burnett before getting the third out.

Burnett (8-8, 4.21 ERA) was charged with three runs in 52/3 innings and the loss. It could have been worse, given that he allowed 11 baserunners (six hits, three walks, two hit batsmen) against the light-hitting A's. Not confidence-inspiring.

The scary part for the Yankees is it's unclear if any big-name pitchers will be available for the plucking by next Sunday.

Unless Ubaldo Jimenez falls out of the Colorado sky, the Yankees' playoff rotation could be CC, Colon and Head for the (Bullpen) Phone.

Does that seem like a winning formula for World Series title No. 28? We think not.

If the Rockies call, Cashman might want to remember having to watch the Rangers celebrate their ALCS victory last season. Then he might want to ask himself if he wants to see a repeat -- one round earlier this time.